Re: [Leica] 100mm f2 focussing

[Dante Stella <dante@umich.edu>]

Mark:

	A 100 f/2 still has some DOF, so what I would suggest is aiming
for the nose.  Since there is more DOF behind the focused point than in
fron (by a factor of 2, I believe), you should be able to get the eyes.
It is very easy to focus behind the subject with an RF.  The other thing
is, as you said, you may need more magnification, or perfect RF alignment.
You might also have the lens checked on a collimator.

	If the 100/2 Canon turns out to be a dud, try the 105 Nikkor.
It's getting kind of pricey (2/3 the price of the Canon), but it is very
well made and has an extremely accurate focusing cam.  It is also
hellishly sharp and has good isolation wide-open.

Cheers
Dante

On Thu, 9 Aug 2001, Mark Langer wrote:

> I've recently purchased a long-coveted 100mm f2 Canon lens in Leica thread
> mount.  I needed both speed and just a bit more reach than a 90mm
> Summicron and the Canon seemed like the solution.  After shooting my first
> roll (on a M6 classic w. adapter), I discovered that about half of the
> pictures were out of focus.  Afterwards, I tried comparing the indicated
> distance of the focus scale on the 100mm f2 with other lenses of similar
> focal length and all focus scales seem to be more or less agreeing with
> each other, so I don't think that there is a defect in the lens.  The shots
> that did come out indicate that this is a great lens for portraiture, with
> faces clearly standing out against the background.  But my technique with
> the M6 (.72) seems to need work.  Does anyone have suggestions or tips to
> accurate focssing in relatively low light levels when working with very
> limited depth of field -- other than getting a M3 or M6 w. .85 viewfinder?
> I'm now kicking myself for selling my M3.....
>
> And, has anyone else had experience with the Canon 100mm f2 for rangefinder?
> Comments?
>
> Mark
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Mark Langer
>
> Email address: mlanger@ccs.carleton.ca
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>